In one of San Francisco’s wealthiest and most coveted neighborhoods, a seemingly small parking dispute has erupted into a full-blown battle between renters and billionaires.
Pacific Heights, often referred to as “Billionaire’s Row,” is known for its luxurious homes and scenic views, but it has also long struggled with a lack of parking.
For some of the area’s affluent residents, this issue wasn’t much of a concern—until now.
Tensions Rise Over Parking Spot in Wealthy Neighborhood
Pacific Heights, home to historic mansions and multimillion-dollar properties owned by tech moguls and prominent philanthropists, has witnessed an unusual situation: dozens of white traffic cones lined up along the street, preventing people from parking in certain areas.
The trouble began when a renter, frustrated by the persistent lack of parking spaces, moved the cones and cleared a spot for his car.
However, within hours, he noticed a white Lexus had double-parked, blocking his vehicle in what appeared to be an act of retaliation.
Desperate to avoid missing an important appointment, the renter went door-to-door in search of the car’s owner.
After several attempts, he finally found a man who agreed, albeit reluctantly, to move the vehicle.
A String of Vandalism and Aggression
Several weeks later, the renter parked in front of the same mansion once again, only this time, the white traffic cones were mysteriously absent.
Upon returning to his car, he discovered a small scratch on the door—only a few inches long. While he wasn’t sure if it was intentional, the timing felt too suspicious to ignore.
He began to take extra care to avoid parking near that property in the future.
However, earlier this week, the situation took a darker turn. The renter, forced to park in the same spot due to street cleaning, returned to find that his car had once again been damaged.
This time, the scratch appeared far more severe, with evidence that it may have been caused by a tool such as pliers or a hammer.
“It didn’t even feel like someone just keyed the car,” he said. “It was much worse than that.”
Turning to Social Media to Air Grievances
Frustrated by the ongoing issues, the renter took to social media to share his experience.
“The cone people have gone too far,” he wrote, calling out the residents of the mansions for their control over the street.
“They’ve escalated from passive aggression to outright vandalism, sending a clear message that parking here isn’t just a matter of convenience – it’s a privilege that comes with their approval.”
Images from Google Street View show white cones placed around the same residence, 2808 Broadway, over several years, leading many to question whether the practice has been allowed to continue unchecked.
Despite numerous reports to 311, the issue persists, according to the renter.
A Clear Violation of Parking Regulations
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency representative Michael Roccaforte explained that objects like cones and trash cans cannot be used to reserve parking spots. “Public streets are for the public,” he said in an email.
“People should observe parking regulations to help with parking turnover, which in turn helps avoid conflicts over limited curb space.”
The ongoing dispute highlights a growing tension between the wealthy residents of Pacific Heights and those struggling with the limited resources available to the public.
As tensions rise, the issue of fair access to parking remains at the forefront of the debate.